Chilean bishops open to resignations, reparation for abuse

Source: Associated Press

By NICOLE WINFIELD

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Chile’s Catholic bishops said Monday they were open to whatever Pope Francis proposes to overhaul the Chilean church, including the removal of bishops, reforms of seminaries and paying financial reparation to victims of a clergy sex abuse and cover-up scandal.

Representatives of the Chilean bishops conference told reporters they were heading into three days of meetings with Francis humbled, pained and shamed for their own errors in handling abuse cases. They said they wanted to listen to Francis and would follow his lead in asking forgiveness of the victims they had discredited.

A conference spokesman, Bishop Juan Ignacio Gonzalez, said “it’s possible” some bishops would offer to resign, but that it was up to the pope. “We’ll respect what he says. If he asks, we’ll do it,” he said.

I do not see a discussion whether the policy of ‘celibacy’ contributed to the sexual abuse. I think it is important that this should be considered. For top offenders polygamy might be needed. They would not have time nor strength to abuse the kids in their care.